Global maize output likely to set record this year: IGC

Global maize production was likely to be a record 822 million tonne (mt) in the 2010-11 season, up from 807 mt last season, due to improved prospects in US, Mexico and parts of Africa, the International Grains Council (IGC) said in its latest report today. “The world maize production forecast for 2010-11 is increased by 15 mt to a record 822 mt,” the IGC report said.

The report, however, noted that despite this increase, demand would overshoot the projected supply of 822 mt by 4 mt during the year.

“The world maize consumption is projected to rise by two per cent in 2010-11 to a record 826 mt as against 812mt last year,” the IGC report said. The area under maize was expected to expand by one per cent to 156.1 million hectare in 2010-11 as against 154.5 million hectare last year, it added.

The average yield was projected to increase slightly from last year’s 5.2 tonne per hectare assuming a mostly favourable season in the Southern Hemisphere and good weather conditions in the Northern Hemisphere, the report noted.

According to IGC, maize output may increase marginally to 340 mt in the US (the world’s largest producer of the grain), 162 mt in China, 59.1 mt in the European Union and 54.2 mt in Brazil. Production in Canada was forecast to be nine per cent higher than last year at 10.5 mt as rains helped speedy development of newly-planted crop, it said. The planted area in Europe was projected to be similar to last year at 8.5 million hectare, but with average yields expected to be higher, production was likely to increase to 59.1 mt.